Tensioning device



July 16, 1940.

E. R. KELLER Filed June 22, 1939 1 111 VENTOR.

BY Z12. 4W6? Q44 A TTORN E Y.

Patented July 16, 1940 PATENT OFFICE.

TENSIONING nnvrcn Ernst R. Keller, Springfield, Mass, assignor to Universal Tool Company, Springfield, Mass., at firm composed of Robert F. Randall and Ernst R. Keller Application June 22, 1939, Serial No. 280,583

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in tensioning devices and is directed more particularly to an improved ,device for tensioning a spring binding employed in the use of skis. j

I. It is a principal object of the invention to provide a tensioning device which is adjustable so as to accommodate shoes of various sizes. That is to say, the device has a part which is adapted toengage the spring binding and which I" is movable to any one of several adjustedpositions, depending upon the size shoe the binding is to accommodate.

As special features, the tensioning device of the invention is simple in form so as to be economical to manufacture. It has but few parts and these are capable of easy assembly, ready attachment to the ski and facile association with the binding.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a tensioning device for use with spring bindings which is adapted to releasably yet firmly engage the binding and this spring-engaging part is movable between locking and non-locking positions, as will appear.

Various other novel features and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter-more fully referred to in connection with the accompanying description of the preferred form of the invention, reference being had to the drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view showing a skibinding and the tensioning device of the invention attached to a ski with dot-dash lines to explain how a shoe is held in place;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view showing the device of the invention attached to a ski with dot-dash lines to explain certain features of the invention;

Fig. 3 is' a side elevational view of what is shown in Fig. 2; a

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 2 with the springholding part removed; and 1 Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Referring now to the drawing more in detail, 45 the invention will be fully described.

In the drawing, a ski is represented by 2 and it is to this that the tensionlng device of the invention is fastened. In Fig. 1, one of the usual toe irons is shown at 4 and a shoe is indicated A heavy spring or cable member 8 is adapted to extend around the heel of the shoe as shown and to its opposite ends are attached opposite ends of a relatively small coil spring Ill. The

66 two springs thus form a continuous ring.

I The sides of the ring may be engaged by "lip members [2 fastened to the opposite sides of the ski in a conventional manner. It is the forward part of the ring, or the central part of the spring l0 that is engaged by the device of the invention for tensionlng the cables engagement against the shoe.

Afiat plate member 20 is fastened to the ski forwardly of the toe irons as by screws 22. Preferably there is an upstanding lug part 24 at the rear side of said member.

A lever member indicated generally by 26 has an outwardly projecting part which is pivoted as by a flat-headed rivet 28 to theplate 20. The lever extends rearwardly and has a manually engageable member 30 on its rear end as shown while extending upwardly from the forward end of the lever is a projection 32 having an enlarged upper end part as shown in Fig. 5.

A plate member 34 having a relatively narrow forward end part and a relatively wide rear end part is provided. This has aseries of spaced openings 36 therein adapted to receive the pin 32 and after disposal over the said pin 32, the plate 34 may be moved rearwardly so that it will not come off the pin.

The rear part of the member 34 is bent up- I wardly and then forwardly to provide a finger engaging portion 38 and alip 40. The lip 40 is preferably formed to have a somewhat springlike' offset part as shown and it is under this that the spring I0 is snapped for releasable engagement.

The part 38 is preferably formed curved as shown; This not only serves as a convenient and comfortable finger engaging portion when operating the device, as will be described, but its curvature provides a smooth channel for. the spring so that the same will not wear too readily.

In operation, the wearer of the ski determines which opening 36 shall receive the pin 32. That is to say, he determines how far forward the plate member 34 must be with respect to the fixed plate 20 in order to provide the proper tension on the spring for his particular shoe.

With the spring l0 beneath the lip 40 and in its channel thus formed and with the cab-1e 8 around his heel, he then moves the lever '26 from its. unlocking position (shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 2) to the locking position. In other words, he swings the lever on its pivot from a position where the pin 32, and consequently the spring-engaging plate which is carried by it, are relatively near the shoe and a position where the pin 32 is moved forward.

It will be noted from Fig. 4 that when the lever is in the locking position shown, pin 32 is at one side of a line running through the center of the screws 22. On the other hand, when the lever is moved so that pin 32 moves through and. past this center line the lock is released.

In operating the lever, I have found it convenient to place the thumb ofone hand against the part 38 and urge the lever rearwardly on its pivot to locking position with the first finger of the same hand. While the throw is relatively small, I have found that it sufiices to give just the desired tension to the spring without strain ing or injuring it.

The flat-head of rivet 28 permits the plate 34 to slide readily thereover as the lever is moved. Preferably the openings in the plate 20 which receive the screws 22 and the opening in lever 26 which receives rivet 28 are countersunk so that no objectionable projections are formed.

The upstanding lug 24 is adapted to be engaged by the inner side edge of the lever member whenthe latter is swung to locking position. Thus theinward movement of the lever is limited as is desirable. Furthermore, the lug is adapted to support the plate 34 so that the lever moves freely when desired and so that the tensioned spring will not cause, the rear part of member. 34 to bear down on the lever and bind it objectionably.

While I have described the invention in great detail and with respect to the present preferred form thereof, it isnot desired to be limited thereto since changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without depart- 1. The combination with a ski of a ski-binding apparatus comprising, a spring member having a part for engaging the heel of a shoe, a plate member carried by the ski, a lever member pivoted to said plate member for swinging between locked and non-locking positions, and another plate member havinga portion releasably engaging another part of said spring member and provided with a row of spaced openings therein forwardly of said portion, and a pin extending upwardly from said lever member and through one of said openings. a a a 2. The combination with a ski of a ski-binding apparatus comprising, a spring member having apart for engaging the heel of a shoe, a plate member carried by the ski, a lever member pivoted to said plate member for swinging between locked and non-locking positions, and another plate member having a portion releasably engaging another part of said spring member and provided with a row of spaced openings therein forwardly of said portion, and a pin extendingv upwardly from said lever member and through one of said openings, said pin being 01f center with respect to the pivot of said lever member.

ERNST Rs KELLER.

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